Do you ever wonder what you were up to 30 years ago (70s teen need not answer)? Or, for the younger readers, what other people, like your parents, were up to? Well, I can't say I dwell on such matters normally but it's fascinating what you come across when sifting through a time-warp junk mountain (before I get any specific comments, I know not all of it was junk!)...
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In November 1979, when the UK was ironically struggling through severely adverse economic conditions, 15 of your English pences would buy you Britain's 'top selling' weekly for women, Woman's Own (I still, to this day, don't know what that title means: Woman's Own what? What woman?). Anyway, one glance at the cover can tell you that while in the desk-top publishing interweb age magazine's have come along visually somewhat, the content matter seems vaguely, if not very clearly, familiar.
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"The most important girl in Prince Charles' life-who is she?" A fine question indeed, and it's even more interesting to read inside quotes from the man himself explaining how important it is to be careful in selecting the future queen of England. Quite.
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"Exclusive What it's like to be rich- by the wife of Britain's first £1million footballer*" The numbers may be a little different but I'm thinking the WAGs of today probably would recognise a passing reflection.
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Make-up tips, win cars, holidays and cash, how to make your bedroom out of bamboo for £20 (IKEA forerunner)... Have we moved on? A look at the adverts is revealing: Discount food brands (same price as today, but offer subject to availability), State Express cigarettes (good riddance), New Blue Band ("eat natural - feel good" health kick mantra), The Bendix Rotary Ironer ("for people who can't stand ironing"), and my own favourite: "Germany. Maker of fine foods."
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Halifax (HBOS to the juniors) is a good one - "There are lots of ways you can save with the Halifax. For instance you can open a Paid-up Share Account with just £1.." which coincidentally is about what it would still be worth today. If you're lucky.
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Unfortunately "Glamoraks" - the newest, shiniest jackets around in '79 - didn't last the fashion course.
(p.s. why does that yellow jump-suit zipper start at the bottom?)
*I'll leave that obvious little bit of trivia open for the comments page :-)
